Jestern Hancock

From: Susan Gray. Date: Nov. 16, 2013

Response from Jeannette Austin

From the deed of James Hancock of Montgomery County dated Nov 24, 1795, he gave a bond to James Sartain for 200 acres on the Little Ohoopee River. Tattnall County was taken from Montgomery County. This must be the original purchase of the land for the mill. That would place it in the vicinity of Glenwood, Georgia, near the old Joyce cemetery. Jestern must have been Hancock's second wife at that time. There is some evidence that the Joyce family was in Craven County, N. C. before they came to Georgia. In 1794 James Hancock applied for a Mark and Brand in Montgomery County.

Tattnall County Loose Papers

A notice appeared in Tattnall County Loose Records that on 10 Nov 1816 a receipt was given at Savannah from Mr. Teston Hancock for $3 to publish in the Columbia Museum and Savannah Gazette a citation to the kindred and creditors of James Hancock, deceased. It apparently took a long time for Hancock's estate to close. In 1821, Jestern Hancock, administratrix for James Hancock, deceased, paid $5 to attend a case in court against her by G. W. Nichols. Cader Hancock received his share of the estate on June 3, 1822. On 1 Feb 1823, Wright Douglas received $40 from the estate and on 8 Jul 1823 Jestern and Durham Hancock as administrators paid James Hancock $54.43. There are more receipts in the Loose Papers which you should review as the estate of James Hancock went well into 1831. Tattnall County Superior Court Records 1805-1832 cite a number of instances concerning James Hancock wherein he sat as a grand juror.
On 13 Aug 1821 Jestern Hancock gave a bond with Alan Johnson of $500 that Jestern could have a license for 12 months to sell liquors and keep a tavern. On 13 Aug 1827 a$500 bond is given so that Jestern Hancock will have a license to sell liquor for one year.

Deeds in Montgomery County

Joyce Cemetery

Tattnall County Loose Papers

Superior Court Records 1805-1832

This concludes my research on this issue. I was unable to find any other records.

Jeannette

December 27, 2013.

I have unravelled some of the children of Jestine by her husband James Hancock.

1820 Tattnall County Georgia Census

2 males under 10 (born 1810-1820) (Martin H. born 1818)
2 males 10-16 (born 1804-1810)
2 males 16-26 (born 1794 to 1804) (Shadrack born 1799)
male 26-45 (born 1775 to 1794) (Cader, born 1794)
female 10-16 (born 1804 to 1810) Benneter, born ca 1809
female 45 + (Jestine)

1. Durham Hancock, born 9/3/1786 in NC, farmer, listed on 1850 Thomas County Census. Durham, 63, Mary 23, Margaret 22, Shadrack 10, Robert 17. Durham served in War of 1812 and died 1864 in Colquitt County. Listed on 1820 Tattnall County Census, 4 males under 10, male 10 to 16, male 26 to 45, female under 10, female 26 to 45. ??He was married to Mary Hall. ??His brothers were: William, Stephen, Jeremiah and Cader, all of Tattnall County.

2. Mary Hancock, born ca 1788 in North Carolina, married William Joyce 1806 in Tattnall County. The estate of William Joyce in Tattnall County dated June 6, 1854 was of considerable value. This record was found in the Minute Book (unindexed) and I searched every page of that book in hopes of finding more. The appraisement and inventories listed 4162 acres of land. It mentions someone as trustee for Mrs. Hancock's inheritance (difficult to read). Also, Harriet Dukes has a legacy from this estate as well as Tarlton Knight. The estate closed out in June of 1855 and nothing further was found.

3. William Hancock, born ca 1790/1793 (1775/1794), listed on 1820 Tattnall County Census. Birth estimated judging the ages of his children on this census.

4. Cader Hancock, born 1794 married Mary Vansant 9/1/1825 in Hancock County. Listed on the 1820 Tattnall County Census, one male to 10, male 16 to 26, female 16 to 26.

5. James Hancock, born ca 1775/1794, listed on 1820 Tattnall County Census. Probably born ca 1794/1795, judging by births of his children. 6. Mary Hancock married Tarlton Knight, born ca 1800, married before 1820. Listed on 1850 Tattnall County Census.

7. Shadrack Hancock, born 1799, married Cynthia Alexander in Tattnall County.
8. Benneter Hancock, born 1809 married Charles McCall, listed on 1850 Thomas County, Georgia Census. She was the one daughter listed in 1820 with Jestine age 10-16. Issue: James 21, Berry 17, Mary 9, Martha 7, Sarah 6, Irvin 2. Charles McCall left a nuncupative will in Thomas County in 1861.

9. Martin H. Hancock, born 1818 in Tattnall County married Elizabeth Arnold on 5/23/1836 in Tattnall County. Listed 1850 Tattnall County Census. Issue: Jeston 14, born Tattnall County; Sarah 12, born Baker County; Jane 10, born Baker County, Georgia Ann 8, born Baker County and Benette 4, born Baker County. 10. Male born 1804/1810 11. Male born 1804/1810

Conclusion: There appear to be three females born to Jestine - Mary, Benneter and Mary. Why two Mary's I cannot answer, however, all of the Hancocks in those days in Tattnall County had to be Jestine's children. I think that Jestine was born ca 1770, probably in North Carolina. The D. A. R. records are not credible, and Wiregrass of Georgia got information from that source. Your Hancocks resided in South Georgia, in Tattnall, Baker and Thomas Counties. I searched all of those places and provided sketchy resources. But they are sufficient to get the generations straight.

Re: Joyce family. The 1830 Tattnall County Census lists a John Jouce, aged 60 to 70 and the 1840 lists William Joyce (aged 30-40) apparently a son, with his aged mother, aged 80 to 90. So, the William Joyce, husband of Mary Hancock, was born ca 1790, fits for their marriage date.

Re: Drake. The only Drake I found in Tattnall County was Jonathan Drake, mentioned on a tax digest. Nothing else.